Students and their outfits for 90s/hip-hop day during the house party. photo by DaNaidra Vickers
TJ’s Black Student Alliance hosted a Black History Month Spirit Week.
The Black Student Alliance (BSA) at Thomas Jefferson High School hosted a Black History Month spirit week from February 17th to February 20th. The spirit week consisted of the following themed days: Rep Your Nationality, 90s/Hip-Hop, Cook-Out vs. Sunday’s Best, and Black Out themes each consecutive day of the week. During the week, community events took place as well, with a house party in the gym on Tuesday and a hot dog eating contest on Friday.
On Monday, students were supposed to represent their nationalities, whether that be through bringing their nation’s flag or representing through their outfits. Multiple students wore the colors of their flag in their clothing, but others brought their own flags. Monday was a day to embrace different cultures and where students and their families came from. TJ is proud of the diversity in students and faculty and Monday’s spirit day truly showed how welcoming the school is. Students were respectful and the first day of the spirit week was a success.
On Tuesday, students did a throw back to the 90s and hip-hop fashion. From the music to the styles to paving the way for other music and expression of one’s creativity in the industry, hip-hop has always been an important aspect of black culture. Black people have always been primary architects in the music industry for all types of genres such as blues, jazz, hip-hop, rock and roll, and rap. Students came to school in their best throwback outfits, ranging from repping their favorite hip-hop artist to dressing in jorts, flannels, varsity jackets or oversized tees. 90s and 2000s fashion has been making a comeback recently, so Tuesday was a great opportunity for students to experiment with clothing while also appreciating everything the black community has done for the industry and modern-day style throughout the years.
Wednesday’s theme was cook-out vs. Sunday’s best, where students dressed up like they would if they were going to a cook out or to church. At cook-outs, there is always that one uncle at the grill or the auntie grabbing extra plates. TJ students showed out with their outfits, putting pillows in their shirts to achieve that uncle build or dressing as they would on a hot day. For some kids, Sunday is a core memory, with their parents having gospel music playing and grandma ready with the hot comb and making sure everyone’s church outfit is pressed and ready. Some students wore their church outfits, dressed up as pastors, and put on their best suits and dresses for the day.
Thursday was the last day of the Black History Month spirit week, ending with a black out. Students and teachers wore all-black outfits, meant to represent resilience, strength, and pride. Black History Month is meant to be a month of appreciation and recognition for the black people who built this country, who died fighting for freedom, who put themselves out into the world even when they were denied, or who were told that they were not good enough or not worthy. None of that was true and they pushed through, to prove everyone wrong. Students and staff had fun and the Black Student Alliance had an amazing turnout with the spirit week. One of BSA’s officers, DaNaidra Vickers said, “We were scared of how many students would participate, but it ended up turning out well, and BSA, the members and the officers are very proud.”
